Disability Newsfeed for Disabled People, Parents, Carers, Occupational Therapists and AHPs

Pictured from left-to-right: Mike Lord, BHTA Chairman; representing TGA - Justin Bone, After-sales service; Kim Cook, Customer Service; Daniel Stone, Managing Director; Sarah Mead, Customer Service Manager; Tim Ross, National Sales Manager; Dom Thomas, Service Manager: Bill Turnbull, BBC Journalist. The national mobility scooter specialist TGA has won the prestigious Customer Service Team of the Year Award once more at the recent British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) Annual Awards Dinner, Grange St. Paul's Hotel, London. The BHTA is the UK's largest healthcare association with all of its members adhering to a Trading Standards Code of Conduct. This means customers of member companies, such as TGA, can rest assured that they will receive professional support and service. The BHTA Annual Awards Dinner was a glamorous black-tie affair attended by key figures within the healthcare sector and proceeding were hosted by BBC journalist and celebrity Bill T

Despite being unable to drive a car or walk without difficulties anymore due to Peripheral Neuropathy, Andy Bennett, 48 from Troedyrhiw in Wales, is enjoying the freedom to drive once more thanks to a life-changing  ‘Breeze Midi 3’ mobility scooter  from TGA. Originally from Port Talbot, Andy has always led an active life through weight lifting, martial arts and outdoor pursuits. He was a single parent for 12 years however this did not stop him from enjoying many physical activities and being a busy wedding chauffer and delivery driver. During his career he was able to drive many top car brands include Daimler, Ferrari and Porsche and also owned a top specification Toyota Celica along with a Suzuki GSXR-750 motorbike. However over a period of several years Andy began to experience growing pain in his hands and feet, especially when lifting weights in the gym. He was finally diagnosed with Diabetes that resulted in walking difficulties and Peripheral Neuropathy – a condition caus

Ailsa Reston, Occupational Therapist (OT), highlights the benefits of prescribing motorised TGA Wheelchair Powerpacks to protect carers from excessive back strain, when propelling manual attendant-controlled wheelchairs About the Author: Ailsa Reston, Occupational Therapist Ailsa Reston qualified as an OT in 1986 from St. Andrews School of Occupational Therapy. She initially worked in the NHS in the field of adult physical medicine and then specialised in the field of neurology and the treatment of Stroke. In 1999, alongside fellow OT and COTSSIP member Bev Kelly, she set up the independent OT Practice,  RKS Occupational Therapist Services  based in Cheshire. RKS recommends the TGA Wheelchair Powerpack range to its clients including the Solo, Duo, Duo HD and PLUS models. As average wheelchair occupant weight increases, fitting a TGA Powerpack can be a proven solution to help push a manual wheelchair A TGA Wheelchair Powerpack  is a powered unit that can be fitted to the unders

Eric Greenyer, 92 from Selsey and retired RAF flight mechanic, has regained his freedom thanks to the same model of  TGA Breeze S4  that won BBC TV’s Top Gear extreme mobility scooter challenge. Originally born in London in 1923, Eric signed up to the RAF in 1941 during the height of the Second World War when aged only 18. With a keen interest in mechanics he was trained to help maintain Britain’s squadron of Spitfires and Hurricanes based at West Malling Air Base in Kent. Eric’s work was vital in keeping these planes operational so they could repel the Nazi bombers that were relentlessly attacking England at that time. Eric became highly knowledgeable about Rolls Royce Merlin engines that powered the Spitfires and hence was called up to support the RAF during the North Africa-to-Italy offensive. This dangerous and huge operation involved 800 ships many of which were sunk by German U-boats however Eric survived and was able to continue active service stationed in Italy. By the end o

Since opening in 1985 TGA has always focused on the safety of its mobility scooter customers. Today it provides a wide range of services, advice and products that can help you drive safely when out and about. As the evenings are now darker, there are lots of ways to remain more visible to other road users when driving around on your scooter. With the help of TGA and its award-winning range of products, you can make sure your independence is not compromised this autumn and winter. Combining the best in style and safety, the new white  Minimo  and  Minimo Plus  are now available and both offer a folding solution that is easy to lift. Their clean and crisp colour is easy for pedestrians and car drivers to spot so whichever model you choose, you can have peace of mind when driving along the pavement or crossing the road. Both are lightweight and fold in seconds - ideal for storing in the car boot or in a compact space at home. The new white Minimo Plus now comes with a removable seat

Gainsborough Specialist Bathing has introduced a brand new range of assistive baths. As Europe’s foremost provider of specialist bathing products, Gainsborough delivers the optimum solution so that bathers can bathe safely and in complete comfort in residential care and hospital environments. Launched at the Care & Dementia Show, the latest range of baths promise to deliver impressive clinical and operational advantages for care providers. Gordon Farmiloe, Managing Director of Gainsborough Specialist Bathing commented: “We were delighted to unveil our new bathing range at the Care & Dementia Show. We believe it was the perfect platform to showcase how these world-class Gainsborough products will redefine assisted bathing. These baths, along with our comprehensive maintenance and service programmes, will ensure healthcare providers have the capability to continue delivering high quality care for many years to come.” Gainsborough’s new range of baths has been designed

Despite living with MS, Caroline Gray from Bromley, Kent, has been able to continue getting out and performing in her acapella singing group thanks to a  TGA Eclipse  known as ‘Scooty’ and its onboard companion ‘Spybear.’  Caroline was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over 25 years ago. However it has only been in the past year that she has developed mobility problems. Following early medical retirement from a position in local government, Caroline retrained to become an independent Counsellor. Now she runs her own practice and outside of work, Caroline’s ability to access performing arts venues, the coast and countryside has been maintained by a compact mobility scooter nicknamed ‘Scooty’. This orange TGA Eclipse scooter dismantles into four easy-to-lift parts so Caroline can take it in the car. She is dependent on her Eclipse for independence away from the car especially when negotiating busy locations such as  Bluewater shopping complex ,exhibitions and galleries. These jour

Age UK Trading has teamed up with Theraposture, a long established adjustable bed specialist, to offer a new range of electrically adjustable beds for older people. Age UK Adjustable Beds are d esigned so that older individuals and couples can sleep comfortably and feel refreshed, the beds have been developed by Theraposture in association with a qualified Occupational Therapist to offer the highest levels of support and reliability. The new collection of Age UK Adjustable Beds includes ready-to-choose and tailor-made adjustable beds, which can be created online using an easy-to-use “Bed Builder” virtual tool. Found at www.ageukbeds.co.uk , the “Bed Builder” helps users create a unique bed from an extra range of options including function, style, size and finish.   Helena King, Head of Affinity & Product Development at Age UK , comments: “Age UK Trading specialise in the evolving needs of older people and work with quality partners to offer a range of products speciall